Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor on Doctor Who / BBC
Ncuti Gatwa has supposedly been “axed” from the leading role of The Doctor on Doctor Who after just two series.
The actor took over from David Tennant as the heroic Time Lord in 2023 and is currently starring in his second series, which is due to come to an end on May 31.
Speculation about his future first emerged earlier this year as he was rumoured to have filmed a regeneration scene, although at the time media reports suggested that he had decided to leave the show to focus on a career in Hollywood.
However, The Sun now reports that he was axed by the show, which in itself faces as uncertain future as the BBC waits for the decision of partner Disney+ on whether it wants to continue to be involved.
Giving further credence to the rumours of Gatwa’s impending exit is showrunner Russell T Davies, who appeared to slip up by referring to Gatwa in the past tense during an interview on Morning Live earlier this month.
A source told the newspaper: “It’s unlikely we will see who Ncuti regenerates into as the Beeb will keep options open. And if they do rest the show for years, it makes it virtually impossible to cast someone now.”
A BBC spokesperson responded: “As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs and any other claims are just pure speculation.
“The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and we still have an entire spin off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, to air. And as for the rest, we never comment on The Doctor and future storylines.”
The first episode of the two-part finale drops this Saturday at 8am on iPlayer.
